An investigation into a threatening video targeting Niskayuna students has concluded, and police are blaming a Canadian minor for causing the online video stir.
The joint investigation between local and federal law enforcement agencies into threatening videos posted on YouTube targeting Niskayuna students lasted months. School officials were alerted to the first video on Thursday, Oct. 27, and the second video the following day by the two students targets in the videos. On Monday, Oct. 31, police had a presence at the high school in response to rumors of a school shooting, which police determined was unlikely.
The rumor of a third video related to a shooting threat also spread throughout the community, but school officials and police in early November had only confirmed the existence of the first two videos.
Through subpoenas and other resources, the local investigation went into Canada where the FBI, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police, identified a suspect. The suspect was revealed as a minor female in Ontario, Canada. Police said due to the nature of the crime, the age of the suspect and her location, no charges are being filed locally. The incident is being resolved in Canada, according to police.
Police said the investigation determined that there was no prior connection between the suspect and the youths mentioned in the videos, the Niskayuna High School or the larger community.
This incident began when the suspect, using an anonymous chat forum, observed postings of one of the youths and, based on similar interests, began to “follow” that youth within the chat forum, according to police. Based on the youth’s chats with other individuals, the suspect realized there was some type of “fight” taking place over the chat site. The suspect then allegedly produced and posted the videos on YouTube, according to police reports, with the intent to enhance the “fight” and keep it going.
The suspect allegedly used online posts to collect personal information on the local youths to make the videos appear to be made by someone they knew, according to police.
The Niskayuna Police Department in a press release stressed the importance of using caution when releasing personal information over any social network.
“These videos not only impacted each of the youths, but as word of the videos spread, the impact was felt on a larger scale,” police said in the release. “This case illustrates the ease in which third parties, known or otherwise, can use that information for illegitimate purposes.”
Niskayuna Central School District Superintendent Susan Salvaggio echoed the concern in a district email and said, “Please speak with your children about the importance of being aware of their activities online.”
Salvaggio directed parents to the federal government’s resource site for safety, security and responsibility on the Internet and other electronic devices, onguardonline.gov, which includes tips for parents of teens using social networks, information about children and online privacy issues and other resources.
She also urged parents to encourage their children to speak with an adult at school if they have any concerns or worries.
“There is nothing we take more seriously than the safety of our students,” she said in the email. “If something is not right, we need to know.”
